Light scanning device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a light scanning device for scanning light from a light source, the light scanning device having: a pivotably mounted mirror for receiving light from the light source; a counterbalance; and a drive for oscillatorily pivoting the mirror and the counterbalance simultaneously in opposite directions to reduce uncoupled forces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a light scanning device, of particular but by no means exclusive application in the fields of scanning microscopy and scanning endoscopy.

One existing scanning microscope is disclosed in International Patent Application No. WO 99/04301. This microscope employs a miniature tuning fork to one tine of which is attached an optical fiber light source. The tuning fork is driven by electromagnets at a frequency of approximately 1000 Hz so that the output of the optical fiber is scanned in the direction of vibration of the tuning fork.

Another technique is disclosed in related U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,789 and 6,057,952. The system disclosed in these documents includes a moveable mirror, a fixed mirror and a converging lens. The moveable mirror has an opening at its centre and is supported to be swingable about at least one axis. The fixed mirror is fixedly supported by an optically transparent plate, with its reflection surface opposed to that of the moveable mirror. Light is admitted from the end of an optical fiber, through the opening in the centre of the moveable mirror and reflected from the fixed mirror towards the moveable mirror. Light is then reflected from the moveable mirror towards the converging lens, which focuses the light on to an object surface. The moveable mirror is swung in an oscillatory manner about a central axis by means of an electrostatic drive; input light reflected from the fixed mirror onto the moveable mirror is thereby scanned by the moveable mirror upon reflection therefrom.

In many applications, however, it is important to minimize the loss of energy of vibration from the fast scanning elements. Some prior art devices, being small or in miniature form, have light and the vibrating elements that make up a substantial proportion of their mass. Thus a considerable amount of reactive motion of the shell or case of such devices can occur. While operating, contact between the case of such devices and biological tissue can cause a high and variable degree of mechanical damping. In engineering terms the “Q” of these systems will be substantially reduced. This damping may also make the oscillation of a fast scan mirror difficult to maintain or may cause substantial changes in the amplitude of vibration.

As a separate effect, the coupling of vibrational energy from a fast resonant scan mirror may also cause unwanted vibration of other components in a scanning head. Such vibration may have deleterious effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, therefore, a light scanning device for scanning light from a light source, said light scanning device having:

-   -   a pivotably mounted mirror for receiving light from said light         source;     -   a counterbalance; and     -   a drive for oscillatorily pivoting said mirror and said         counterbalance simultaneously in opposite directions to reduce         uncoupled forces.

Thus, in applications such as endoscopy where such a device would be located in an optical head, vibration or other uncoupled forces resulting from pivoting the mirror can be reduced, so that the transmission of vibration to the optical head can be reduced. The drive is used to pivot the mirror, so that light reflected from the mirror can be scanned. Such applications commonly have two scanning directions, that is, a slow y-axis or vertical scan and a fast x-axis or horizontal scan. It is envisaged that the invention would generally be employed to provide the latter (viz. fast) scan, but there is no reason why, in principal, it could not be used for slower scans. The benefits of the invention would generally diminish, however, with the scan rate.

Preferably said device includes a torsion bar for supporting said mirror. More preferably said torsion bar comprises a filament.

Preferably said counterbalance is mechanically coupled to said mirror. More preferably said device includes a torsion bar for supporting said mirror and said counterbalance, wherein said drive drives said counterbalance by driving said mirror and thereby said mechanically coupled counterbalance.

The counterbalance may comprise a plurality of counterbalancing elements. In one embodiment said counterbalance comprises two counterbalancing elements, located at opposite sides of said mirror. In another embodiment, said counterbalance comprises an annular structure locatable around said mirror.

In one embodiment, said mirror and said counterbalance are coupled electrostatically or electromagnetically.

Preferably said drive is an electrostatic drive. In another embodiment said drive is an electromagnetic drive.

In another embodiment said mirror and said counterbalance are located, respectively, on first and second supports, wherein said counterbalance is located behind said mirror and thereby does not obscure the light receiving face of said mirror.

Thus, in this configuration the device can be narrower as the counterbalance is not located beside the mirror.

Preferably said device has a housing containing a reduced atmosphere so that said mirror and said counterbalance operate in said reduced atmosphere.

The present invention also provides a method of scanning light, comprising:

-   -   reflecting said light from a mirror;     -   driving said mirror so as to oscillatorily pivot said mirror and         thereby scan said light reflected from said mirror; and     -   driving a counterbalance to act as a counterbalance to said         mirror;     -   whereby uncoupled forces due to said pivoting of said mirror are         reduced by means of said counterbalance.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a scanning microscope or endoscope including the light scanning device described above.

Preferably the microscope or endoscope includes one or more optical fibers for transmitting incident light to said microscope or endoscope, for transmitting return light from a sample, or for both transmitting incident light to said microscope or endoscope and for transmitting return light from a sample.

The microscope or endoscope may be a confocal microscope or endoscope.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of balancing a light scanning device as described above, comprising:

-   -   mounting said mirror and counterbalance on one or more sensors         for detecting vibration in said device in one or more         dimensions;     -   operating said device and monitoring by means of said sensors         any vibration therein; and     -   adjusting said device so as to reduce any vibration therein.

Preferably adjusting said device comprises ablating a portion of said counterbalance or a portion of said mirror, or ablating portions of both said counterbalance and said mirror.

Preferably said ablating is laser ablating.

Preferably said ablating is performed in a reduced atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, the preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a light scanning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a variation of the light scanning device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a schematic view of a further variation of the light scanning device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a view of the scanning element of the light scanning device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the scanning element of FIGS. 1A and 2;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the scanning element of FIGS. 1C and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 2, of a light scanning element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 2, of a light scanning element according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the scanning element of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the scanning element of FIG. 5 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A light scanning device in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 2 in FIG. 1A, in use with an optical fiber 8. The light scanning device 2 includes a scanning element 14, a fixed, plane mirror 16 supported on a transparent plate 18 at a converging lens 20.

The scanning element 14 includes a plane, pivotable mirror 22, with a reflecting surface facing the reflecting surface of fixed mirror 16. Pivotable mirror 22 is flanked by a counterbalance comprising twin counterbalancing elements 24 a, 24 b, one each side of pivotable mirror 22. Pivotable mirror 22 and counterbalancing elements 24 a, 24 b are mounted on silicon torsion bar 26.

Pivotable mirror 22 has a central, circular aperture 28, which coincides with tip 30 of optical fiber 8, so that light emitted from optical fiber 8 can pass unimpeded through aperture 28 in pivotable mirror 22. The diameter of circular aperture 28 is thus greater than that of optical fiber 8, so that the central aperture 28 does not act a spatial filter for outgoing or returning light. Similarly, return light can be received by tip 30 of optical fiber 8 after passing through aperture 28 in pivotable mirror 22.

In use, light from a suitable source (not shown), generally a laser source, is transmitted along optical fiber 8 towards tip 30, and emitted from tip 30 and through circular, central aperture 28 of pivotable mirror 22 towards fixed mirror 16. This light is reflected from fixed mirror 16 towards pivotable mirror 22, and reflected by pivotable mirror 22 towards converging lens 20. In this process, as will be appreciated, some light may be lost through reflection from fixed mirror 16 back into central aperture 28 or otherwise.

The light that reaches converging lens 20 is converged towards point 18, at which will be located a sample. Similarly, light returned by that sample (whether by reflection or fluorescence), which will be collected by converging lens 20 and returned along the same optical path to tip 30 of optical fiber 8. By suitable beam splitting techniques, this return light—or a portion thereof—can then be directed to a detector (not shown).

Though not shown in FIG. 1A, scanning element 14 includes an electrostatic drive for pivoting pivotable mirror 22 about torsion bar 26 in an oscillatory fashion, so that light reflected from pivotable mirror 22 is scanned (in the view shown in FIG. 1A) in and out of the plane of the figure. Counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b are also pivoted, but 180° out of phase with the motion of pivotable mirror 22, to thereby provide a counterbalancing effect.

A variation of the light scanning device 2 is shown generally at 4 in FIG. 1B, again in use with optical fiber 8. Though in most respects identical with scanning device 2 of FIG. 1A, scanning device 4 includes a beamsplitter 10 to divert return light through 90° into return fiber 12 (connected to a suitable light detector, not shown).

Another variation of the light scanning device 2 is shown generally at 6 in FIG. 1C, again in use with optical fiber 8. In this variation, the tip 30 of optical fiber 8 is located within (or, optionally, marginally forward of) central aperture 28 of the scanning device 6. The central aperture 28 has, in this variation, a slightly larger diameter than in the variations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, so that the fiber 8 can be accommodated—including when the mirror 22 is, in use, pivoting—without interfering with the motion of the mirror 22.

In still another variation of the scanning device 2, a second (return) fiber is located adjacent to optical fiber 8 and the scanning device 2 includes an additional optical element located either between scanning element 14 and plate 18 or between plate 18 and converging lens 20 for diverging light returning from the sample by a small amount. This returning light is therefore collected by the second fiber rather than by fiber 8, thereby avoiding the need provide fiber 8 with a beamsplitter for directing return light out of fiber 8 and towards a detector.

The scanning element 14 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. Also visible in this figure are silicon microfabricated support pillars 30 a and 30 b extending from the rear wall 32 of frame 34 of scanning element 14 to torsion bar 26, and located between mirror 22 and, respectively, counterbalancing element 24 a and counterbalancing element 24 b. Support pillars 30 a and 30 b are provided to inhibit waves from being induced in torsion bar 26 by the motion of mirror 22 and counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b.

Light from optical fiber 8 (not shown) is emitted through central aperture 28 in direction 36.

The electromagnetic drive can assume any suitable form, including that taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,057,952 and 6,172,789. That being the case, the reflective surface 38 of mirror 22 may be in the form of an applied conducting and reflective material to act both as an electrode and a reflector.

Another suitable, alternative drive comprises an electromagnetic drive, comparable to that disclosed in WO 99/04301.

As will be appreciated, counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b are designed to precisely counterbalance the mirror 22 to minimize the coupling of uncoupled forces being transmitted to frame 34 and from there to whatever optical head contains the device 2. Counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b can be driven out of phase with mirror 22 in at least two ways. Firstly, they can be driven by the electrostatic drive that drives mirror 22, but out of phase with mirror 22. Alternatively, the electrostatic drive can be used to drive mirror 22 and, through the mechanical coupling of mirror 22 and counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b via torsion bar 26, also to drive counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b. In either case, however, the drive drives both the mirror 22 and the counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b.

Mirror 22 and counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b are driven with a resonant oscillatory motion, as will be understood by those in the art. The system has a high Q value, so that as little energy as possible must be input to sustain the oscillation. The scanning device 2 is provided with a lock-in sensor (not shown) which, in conjunction with the drive, enables the mirror 22 and counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b to be driven and maintained at the resonant frequency.

The scanning device 2 is constructed within a case or optical head (not shown) such that mirror 22 is contained within a reduced atmosphere. This reduces the resistance of the atmosphere to the motion of the mirror 22 and the counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b, but more generally the sealed optical head makes the elements contained therein less vulnerable to contamination from moisture, oil or dust. Indeed, in one embodiment a transparent seal is located over the converging lens 20; this seal can be cleaned without the risk of damaging the focusing optics provided by converging lens 20.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional plan view of scanning element 14, in which may be seen mirror 22, counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b, torsion bar 26, support pillars 30 a and 30 b, and optical fiber 8. As is apparent from this view, optical fiber 8 is secured within an aperture 40 in rear wall 32 of the frame 34 of scanning element 14. Aperture 40 is aligned with central aperture 28 of mirror 22. Optical fiber 8 may, optionally, be additionally supported if necessary, such as with a collar extending from rear wall 32 towards central aperture 28. Optical fiber 8 extends as far towards central aperture 28 as possible, without interfering with the pivoting motion of mirror 22.

FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, but illustrates scanning element 14 according to the variation shown in FIG. 1C, that is, with a somewhat larger central aperture 28 to accommodate fiber 8.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention the scanning element is substantially identical to that shown in FIG. 2, but with an essentially circular mirror 122 and with a counterbalance in the form of a single counterbalancing element 124 comprising an annular element located so as to surround mirror 122, co-centered with the mirror 122.

This arrangement has a number of benefits: the counterbalancing element 124, as it surrounds mirror 122, has a significant portion of its mass located further from torsion bar 126 than does mirror 122 itself. Consequently, the moment of inertia of counterbalancing element 124 is relatively high for its mass, compared with that of counterbalancing elements 24 a and 24 b of FIGS. 1 to 3. Consequently, the same degree of counterbalancing can be provided by counterbalancing element 124 for a relatively lesser mass, so that the overall scanning element can be less massive.

In this embodiment, silicon microfabricated support pillars may also be provided behind (in the view of FIG. 4) torsion bar 126, between mirror 122 and counterbalancing element 124.

The scanning element of the second embodiment is also provided with an electrostatic drive, shown schematically in FIG. 4. The electrostatic drive comprises two alternating power supplies 142 a and 142 b, each connected to electrodes 144 a and 144 b respectively and attached to the mirror 122 and counterbalancing element 124 in the following manner.

Electrode 144 a extends from power supply 142 a, proceeds along torsion bar 126 to counterbalancing element 124, then around counterbalancing element 124 in approximately a semicircle until it again reaches torsion bar 126, follows torsion bar 126 to mirror 122, and passes around the periphery of mirror 122 in approximately a semicircle remote from its path around counterbalancing element 124 until it reaches torsion bar 126. By means of power supply 142 a, therefore, the upper (in the view of FIG. 4) portion of counterbalancing element 124 and the lower portion of mirror 122 can be simultaneously charged.

Electrode 144 b of power supply 142 b is arranged in a complementary fashion so that the lower (in the view of FIG. 4) portion of counterbalancing element 124 and upper portion of mirror 122 can be simultaneously charged by means of power supply 142 b.

In use, power supply 142 a and power supply 142 b have outputs that are 180° out of phase. The output of power supply 142 a is essentially sinusoidal between a maximum negative value and 0, while that of power supply 142 b is positive and sinusoidal, between a (lesser) maximum positive value and 0.

A reference electrode (not shown) is provided behind mirror 122 and counterbalancing element 124, within the frame (also not shown) of the element of this embodiment and the reference electrode is maintained with a charge, either +ve or −ve.

When power supplies 142 a and 142 b apply the above described voltages across respective electrodes 144 a and 144 b and the ground electrode, 180° out of phase, the resulting electrostatic forces between the ground electrode and electrodes 144 a and 144 b cause the mirror 122 and counterbalancing element 124 to pivot in an oscillatory fashion about torsion bar 126, simultaneously but 180° out of phase, so that uncoupled forces are minimized.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, schematic view of the scanning element 214 of a third embodiment of the present invention. The scanning element 214 includes a forward frame 234, including a mirror 222 pivotably mounted on a torsion bar 226. Mirror 222 includes a circular, central aperture 228. Optical fiber 208 is arranged with its exit tip 230 behind (in the view of FIG. 5) and aligned with central aperture 228.

Mirror 222 is driven in an oscillatory or swinging manner by means of an electrostatic or electromagnetic drive (see above).

Scanning element 214 also includes a rear frame 250, mechanically coupled to forward frame 234 by means of four corner pillars 252.

Rear frame 250 is, in most respects, similar with forward frame 234. However, instead of having a pivotable mirror, rear frame 250 includes a similarly arranged pivotable circular counterbalance mounted on a torsion bar. The scanning element 214 is configured, however, so that the counterbalancing element of rear frame 250 is driven 180° out of phase with mirror 222.

The configuration of the pivotable elements (i.e. mirror 250 and counterbalance) is shown more clearly in partial cross section FIG. 6, in which it can be seen that, located behind pivotable mirror 222, is pivotable counterbalance 254. Counterbalance 254 has a circular, central aperture 256, coaxial with central aperture 228 of mirror 222. Central aperture 256 of counterbalance 254 has a greater diameter than does central aperture 228 of mirror 222, because optical fiber 208 passes through central aperture 256 of counterbalance 254, while merely terminating behind central aperture 228 of mirror 222. Central aperture 256 of counterbalance 254 has a sufficiently large diameter that counterbalance 254 can pivot as required without making contact with optical fiber 208.

Referring to FIG. 7, which is a side cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6, in use, mirror 222 and counterbalance 254 are driven 180° out of phase, to minimize the transmission of uncoupled forces to other components.

In this embodiment, the scanning element 214 is preferably provided with an electrostatic drive comparable to that shown in FIG. 4, but with the ground electrode located between mirror 222 and counterbalance 250. The placement of the electrodes is adjusted accordingly.

In each of the above embodiments, the preferred technique for manufacturing the counterbalance (comprising one or more counterbalancing elements), so that it as closely as possible balances the mirror includes the following steps.

The counterbalance is initially manufactured heavier than necessary, and tuned by the progressive laser ablation of the counterbalance until it is found to accurately counterbalance the mirror. This is assessed by mounting the scanning element on three piezo-sensors, and driving the scanning element while measuring the signal from the piezo-sensors. Uncoupled forces in the scanning element can then be detected by the piezo-sensors, and the counterbalance progressively laser ablated until no (or negligible) output is detected from the piezo-sensors.

This tuning process can also be performed in a reduced atmosphere, to more precisely simulate the ultimate, preferred operating conditions.

If the counterbalance is metallic, a readily ablated coating can be applied so that tuning comprises the laser ablation of the coating, rather than the counterbalance itself. Alternatively, in such embodiments the coating could be applied to the mirror or other counterbalanced element, and that coating ablated.

Modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may be readily effected by those skilled in the art. It is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.

Further, any reference herein to prior art is not intended to imply that that prior art forms or formed a part of the common general knowledge. 

1. A light scanning device for scanning light from a light source, said light scanning device having: a pivotably mounted mirror for receiving light from said light source; a counterbalance; and a drive for oscillatorily pivoting said mirror and said counterbalance simultaneously in opposite directions to reduce uncoupled forces.
 2. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, including a torsion bar for supporting said mirror.
 3. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said torsion bar comprises a filament.
 4. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said counterbalance is mechanically coupled to said mirror.
 5. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device includes a torsion bar for supporting said mirror and said counterbalance, wherein said drive drives said counterbalance by driving said mirror and thereby said mechanically coupled counterbalance.
 6. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mirror and said counterbalance are coupled electrostatically or electromagnetically.
 7. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said counterbalance comprises an annular structure locatable around said mirror.
 8. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said counterbalance comprises a plurality of counterbalancing elements.
 9. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said counterbalance comprises two counterbalancing elements, located at opposite sides of said mirror.
 10. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive is an electrostatic drive.
 11. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive is an electromagnetic drive.
 12. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mirror and said counterbalance are located, respectively, on first and second supports, wherein said counterbalance is located behind said mirror and thereby does not obscure the light receiving face of said mirror.
 13. A light scanning device as claimed in claim 1, having a housing containing a reduced atmosphere so that said mirror and said counterbalance operate in said reduced atmosphere.
 14. A method of scanning light, comprising: reflecting said light from a mirror; driving said mirror so as to oscillatorily pivot said mirror and thereby scan said light reflected from said mirror; and driving a counterbalance to act as a counterbalance to said mirror; whereby uncoupled forces due to said pivoting of said mirror are reduced by means of said counterbalance.
 15. A scanning microscope or endoscope including the light scanning device of claim
 1. 16. A scanning microscope or endoscope as claimed in claim 15, including one or more optical fibers for transmitting incident light to said microscope or endoscope, for transmitting return light from a sample, or for both transmitting incident light to said microscope or endoscope and for transmitting return light from a sample.
 17. A scanning microscope or endoscope as claimed in claim 15, wherein said microscope or endoscope is a confocal microscope or endoscope.
 18. A method of balancing the light scanning device of claim 1, said method comprising: mounting said mirror and counterbalance on one or more sensors for detecting vibration in said device in one or more dimensions; operating said device and monitoring by means of said sensors any vibration therein; and adjusting said device so as to reduce any vibration therein.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adjusting of said device comprises ablating a portion of said counterbalance or a portion of said mirror, or ablating portions of both said counterbalance and said mirror.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said ablating is laser ablating.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said ablating is performed in a reduced atmosphere. 